Unit History: Forward Ammunition Depot
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Air Ammunition Parks were renamed Forward Ammunition Depots in 1941 .They became central depots with a number of nearby satellite sites, Advanced Ammunition Parks, to further increase holding capacity. Staple Halt became an Advanced Ammunition Park.When the USAAF arrived new Forward Ammunition Supply depots were built for its needs at Braybrooke, Bures, Melchbourne Park, and Sharnbrook. Where it was rational the USAAF was given sub-sites at existing depots as well.
The two wartime Forward Ammunition Depots were markedly different from the pre-war designs, reliant on concealment by woodland (South Witham was actually within Morkery Woods) rather than toughness, the munitions were held within standard Nissen huts dispersed to increase safety, with transport on standard nine-foot metalled roads. Each had a stated capacity of 8,400 tons of bombs, 840 tons of incendiaries, and 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) for small arms ammunition.
The supply of ammunition was soon changes, with supplies moving directly from the factories to the Forward Ammunition Depots, cutting the underground stores out of the system and relegating them to stores for obsolete stock and chemical weapons, holding points for very large cargoes, and repair centres.
The two wartime Forward Ammunition Depots were markedly different from the pre-war designs, reliant on concealment by woodland (South Witham was actually within Morkery Woods) rather than toughness, the munitions were held within standard Nissen huts dispersed to increase safety, with transport on standard nine-foot metalled roads. Each had a stated capacity of 8,400 tons of bombs, 840 tons of incendiaries, and 40,000 square feet (3,700 m2) for small arms ammunition.
The supply of ammunition was soon changes, with supplies moving directly from the factories to the Forward Ammunition Depots, cutting the underground stores out of the system and relegating them to stores for obsolete stock and chemical weapons, holding points for very large cargoes, and repair centres.
Memories of Forward Ammunition Depot
(Memories written by members of Forces Reunited)
Forward Ammunition Depot, (7 FOD) KL Malaya in 1957
Written by Brian Denis Wood
The One-Legged Hitch-Hiker Malaya 1957, and our unit (7FOD), situated outside KL, next to 22SAS is a strange little place. With 2-3 dozen Brits and Malay OR’s, we supplied ammo and other essentials to various units on the Malay Peninsula.I used to do armed ammo escort duties, which entailed loading ammo and related items onto railway goods wagons and delivering same accompanied by a small infantry detachment (usually an NCO and about 6 OR’s). I would nominally be in charge and the escort boys could be from one of many units operating within The 28th Commonwealth Brigade
These runs could take up to 5 days sometimes; what with being shunted off the single-track line into goods yards to dispense our load. I enjoyed the company of units including Ghurkhas. Aussies, Kiwis, Indian, Rhodesian, and some of the finest from Scotland, Wales, and England.
Into our camp one day came a one-legged Brit on crutches. This guy (from Manchester/Bolton or somewhere thereabouts) was on the return leg (no pun intended) of a round-the-world hitch-hiking adventure and was making his way north. He stayed a few days until I was due to make a journey north up to the Thai border. I arranged to “smuggle” him onto the train and help him on his way.
Our wagon/s were always hitched to the rear of the train........I guess for safety reasons; away from sparks from the engine, and maybe not to be too obvious or alarming to the train’s passengers. We always left late at night.
Leaving a guard looking after our precious cargo, I took our one-legged civvy friend into KL town for a few scoops before departure. On return to the goods yard we found the gates locked, but without a second thought this guy throws his crutches through the gates and is up and over the 12 foot or so of spike-topped railings, shaming me into following (rifle, bandolier, jungle-boots et al). Anyway, we safely made it and got on our way. I think I eventually got him to Butterworth, near the Thai border.
I took many photos of this guy at various stages of this trip, but to my eternal shame I lost the lot on a subsequent escort job to Singapore.......time on my hands....too much to drink, and got my camera stolen. I hasten to add that at the time I was off duty and had deposited my rifle and personal ammo in a police station for safe-keeping before imbibing.
I have been checking ex-service sites for a few years and have never found anyone from my old unit....can’t all be dead or non computer-literate can they? Maybe this little blast from the past will jog a few memories.....maybe someone knows or remembers this guy from his home town.
I’m happy to be contacted if this means anything to anybody. Brian (scouse) Wood.
Forward Ammunition Depot, july/ november emergency tour NI in 1980
Written by robert stokoe
just to see if anyone still remembers 9 PLt RAOC, july november 1980
